Mill 99 - Ritchie DC2 Rezoning (LDA22-0070)

It's inconceivable that the city would consider allowing a skyscaper to be plunked in the middle of an area characterized by residential homes and low density business. There's a principle in public policy that says it takes many times as much effort to debunk junk rationale than to propose it, and it appears that's just what's happening here. This is a junk proposal built on poor understanding of what makes a neighbourhood, backed up by bits and pieces of ideas taken out of context. It would take hours (that I don't have) to explain why the common sense conclusion that this is ridiculous is actually true and backed up by sound governance, planning and community building principles. For starters, though, just look at the list of agreements and policy that would have to be discarded for this proposal to go forward. It shows that this is not what anyone ever thought would be a good idea. It also erodes confidence that city policies mean anything or are reliable for your average resident who can't spend thousands of dollars demanding special exceptions.

I strongly oppose a project of this magnitude in this location. I believe that previous zoning restrictions were put in place for a reason and should be adhered to, not adjusted. More specifically, adjusting the zoning restrictions from property sizes of 4 story's to 19 is extreme.

Placing a 19 story building directly south of a 4 story complex would severely devalue the properties that are owned by residents who have lived in this neighborhood for years. It would take away their access to sunlight and create stresses on infrastructure/parking that the neighborhood is not capable of handling when a building with 230 residential units is built in this location. This would essentially take the wealth these owners have built up in their personal residences, all to allow a corporation to increase their profits by building a property that exceeds the current zoning restrictions. I don't know how this can be considered reasonable. I find it shocking that this sort of project is even being considered by the city.

I live at 9908 80 Ave NW which would be just north of this proposed highrise. Of course, I object to the proposed highrise. This neighbourhood cannot support parking for 230 units and their guests. I will be surprised if the sewage lines could support it although I know upgrades have been done. I strongly object to losing the afternoon sun. I prefer the original zoning which allows only up to 6-story buildings.

Please do not rezone West Ritchie. I have lived here since 2002 and I hope to stay. I like our mixed-use village within a city. (And I totally agree with the proposed safe injection site in our neighbourhood which might surprise you given this note.)

For decades City of Edmonton administration declares that planing neighbourhoods is done in total consultation with residents. We spend millions of dollars to work together and plan future developments together. This planning usually take few years to do. Then, a developer buys a small parcel of land and tries to change the rules and our plan we developed decade ago with involvement of many residents and city administrators.

The proposed plan is doing exactly that. It nullifies all our planning years ago for the future of this area.
Why are we letting developers do that? Initial developer – Brass III – never had an issue with that and proposed 4 stories condominium. They adhered and supported our vision. New developer does not support our vision and this plan that contains many exceptions should be declined.

Residents should have major say and vote as to what is proposed and later approved. We did the plan with the City years ago. We simply ask that the City keep our initial vision.